Freedom current

The cross-border art project FREIHEITSSTROM - VRIJHEIDSSTROOM on the occasion of "80 years of peace & freedom" is an initiative of the city of Bocholt (D) and the Gemeente Doetinchem (NL) together with the city museums of both cities.

Funded by the Interreg Germany-Netherlands programme, it brings together artists from both countries who work together in tandems. The artist duos were brought together as part of a "Tandem Matching Day" and their ideas were selected by an independent jury of experts.

The number 8 plays a central role: the end of the Second World War on 8 May 1945, the horizontal eight as a symbol of infinity and the eight artist tandems who are creating eight sculptures - some in close collaboration with local craft businesses.

© Joop van Reeken
The "Get together" of the artists

The artworks deal with themes such as freedom, the pursuit of peace and the dynamics of cultural currents. The Bocholter Aa and the Dutch Oude Ijssel, which connect the two cities, are not only geographical but also symbolic elements of the project.

Curator Verena Winter is enthusiastic about the diversity of the artistic works and promises an inspiring experience for visitors from both countries, as the sculptures will change locations at the end of August! The artworks that can first be seen in Bocholt will go to Doetinchem. And vice versa.

A second opening (midissage) will therefore also take place on Sunday, 31 August.

All dates:

VERNISSAGE: Thursday, 8 May 2025 at 6.00 pm, LernWerk, Industriestraße 1, Bocholt
MIDISSAGE: Sunday, 31 August 2025 at 2.00 pm, LernWerk, Industriestraße 1, Bocholt
FINISSAGE: Saturday 8 November 2025 at 4.30 pm, Stadsmuseum, Burg. van Nispenstraat 2, Doetinchem (Netherlands)

The works

Sponsors

This project is financially supported by the European Union and the Interreg partners as part of the Germany-Netherlands Interreg programme.

Where can the works be found?

PHASE ONE

The following works will be on displayfrom 8 May to 24 August 2025:

BOCHOLT

At "Versunkene Brücke" (Theodor-Heuss-Ring), LernWerk rear entrance (Industriestraße 1) and to the right and left of the kubaai podium bridge (between Spinnerei and Weberei):

1 TANGELDER & NEUMANN: DEMAND

2 HAGEDORN & PAAR: IN VARIETATE CONCORDIA

3 SPOGAHN & JOLINK: OUT INTO FREEDOM

4 WEISER & ENGEL: BREATHE

DOETINCHEM

At the mill "Walmolen", on the corner of Ijsselkade / C. Missetstraat, at the Oude Ijssel (C. Missetstraat) and at the Waldijk (corner Gaswal / Kapoeniestraat):

1 DE LAAK & BRAND: LIBERTY BIRD

2 KRASENBRINK & AVERSTEEG: RIVERMAID - RIVER OF FREEDOM

3 HERMELING, VON TORA & HEWELING HOLLANDS: DRUPPEL VOOR DRUPPEL - THE RIVER OF FREEDOM

4 DE BOER & JANSSEN: STRONG THROUGH CONNECTION

PHASE TWO

The following workswill be on display from 31 August to 8 November:

BOCHOLT

At "Versunkene Brücke" (Theodor-Heuss-Ring), LernWerk rear entrance (Industriestraße 1) and to the right and left of the kubaai podium bridge (between Spinnerei and Weberei):

1 KRASENBRINK & AVERSTEEG: RIVERMAID - RIVER OF FREEDOM

2 DE LAAK & BRAND: FREEDOM BIRD

3 DE BOER & JANSSEN: STRONG THROUGH CONNECTION

4 HERMELING, VON TORA & HEWELING HOLLANDS: DRUPPEL VOOR DRUPPEL - THE RIVER OF FREEDOM

DOETINCHEM

At the mill "Walmolen", on the corner of Ijsselkade / C. Missetstraat, at the Oude Ijssel (C. Missetstraat) and at the Waldijk (corner Gaswal / Kapoeniestraat):

1 HAGEDORN & PAAR: IN VARIETATE CONCORDIA

2 SPOGAHN & JOLINK: OUT INTO FREEDOM

3 WEISER & ENGEL: BREATHE

4 TANGELDER & NEUMANN: DEMAND